What does Westminster think of Liz Truss's victory?

Liz Truss has won the contest to become the next Conservative Party leader and prime minister of the UK.

But how has her victory gone down among the movers and shakers of Westminster?

Rishi Sunak

First, let’s look at the response of her rival – the former chancellor who secured just shy of 43% of the votes in the Tory leadership contest.

Rishi Sunak tweeted soon after the announcement to thank those who had backed him – but he also made an appeal to his supporters…

“I’ve said throughout that the Conservatives are one family,” he wrote.

“It’s right we now unite behind the new PM, Liz Truss, as she steers the country through difficult times.”

Taxes, the economy, energy, the NHS: Liz Truss’s Conservative leadership election victory speech in full

Liz Truss will become UK’s next prime minister after beating Rishi Sunak in race to succeed Boris Johnson

Liz Truss secured a lower percentage of party member votes than expected – could that change how she governs?

Boris Johnson

The outgoing prime minister has paused on his final day in office to offer his congratulations to his successor.

On Twitter, Boris Johnson called it a “decisive win”, adding: “I know she has the right plan to tackle the cost of living crisis, unite our party and continue the great work of uniting and levelling up our country.

“Now is the time for all Conservatives to get behind her 100 per cent.”

Sir Keir Starmer

The leader of the Labour Party did congratulate Ms Truss for her win on Twitter, but had stronger words about her when talking to reporters – especially when it came to the country’s leading concern.

Sir Keir Starmer said the public had heard more from her on cutting corporation tax than the cost of living crisis – “the single most important thing that’s bearing down on so many millions of households” – and he said it showed “not only that she’s out of touch, but she’s not on the side of working people”.

He listed the issues she needed to deal with – “the cost of living”, “the NHS is on its knees”, “the collapse of law and order” – and say how she is going to pay for it.

“She needs to show that she actually understands and can meet the challenges that are there after 12 years of failure of this Tory government,” he added.

Nicola Sturgeon

The first minister of Scotland also offered a cautious well done to Ms Truss.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our political differences are deep, but I will seek to build a good working relationship with her as I did with [the] last three PMs.”

She then made her own demands on the incoming leader.

“She must now freeze energy bills for people and businesses, deliver more cash support, and increase funding for public services,” said Ms Sturgeon.

Northern Ireland

The DUP’s leader and MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson praised Ms Truss for her “achievement” of winning the keys for Number 10.

But his congratulations was followed by demands on her to address the Northern Ireland Protocol and push forward with her bill, which aims to scrap some of the post-Brexit arrangements.

He said the bill would make it possible for the Treasury to “use their substantial firepower to help all parts of the United Kingdom in this cost of living crisis”.

For Sinn Féin’s First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill, her immediate demand was for Ms Truss to “work to restore the Executive and Assembly” in Northern Ireland, which has not been functioning for months, “so we can help people who are struggling with rising costs”.

She added: “Liz Truss should stop facilitating the DUP’s destructive and self serving boycott of government, she should end her sabre-rattling and reckless threats to break international law and get back to the table for talks with the EU to find solutions and give certainty to our businesses.”

Sir Ed Davey

The leader of the Liberal Democrats was not so kind after Ms Truss’s win.

Sir Ed Davey tweeted: “Under Liz Truss, we’re set to see more of the same crisis and chaos as under Boris Johnson.

“From the cost of living emergency to the NHS crisis, the Conservatives have shown they don’t care, and have no plan.”

He added: “It’s time to scrap the energy price hike then call a general election.”

Theresa May

If anyone knows what Ms Truss is facing, its her colleague and predecessor Theresa May.

The former PM was one of the first to offer her congratulations, before making a broader appeal to her party.

“We Conservatives must now work together to address the challenges facing our country – tackling the cost of living, delivering for those in need and managing the public finances responsibly.

“I look forward to supporting the government in that task.”

David Cameron

Another former prime minister came out with his own memories of leading the Tories in Number 10.

David Cameron said at a time of “challenge [and] global uncertainty, I wish the new government well”.

He added: “I never forget the support I had from all former Conservative leaders when I won the ballot in 2005 [and] I hope all Conservatives will unite behind the new PM.”

Leadership contenders

Other Tory MPs who had hoped to be crowned as the new leader also gave their praise to Ms Truss for her winning campaign.

Kemi Badneoch said it was a “well deserved” victory, as well as giving her commiserations to Mr Sunak.

She added: “It has been an extraordinary summer but it’s all hands on deck now as Parliament and government work to resolve the challenges coming up this autumn.”

Former Health Secretary and leadership contender Sajid Javid said he was “delighted” Ms Truss had won, and echoed the call for unity, tweeting: “We had two fantastic final candidates, but our party must now come together under her leadership and deliver for the British people.”

Read Entire Article